A Lot Like Me

Bible Reading: Matthew 13:55-56; Hebrews 4:14-16

“Mom!” Mason stormed through the living room, past the manger scene and Christmas tree, and into the kitchen. “Look at this.” He held up four baseball cards. “Abby drew hearts all over my best cards!”

“Oh no.” His mother closed the oven door. “I’ll talk to her about it after she wakes up from her nap. But you have to remember, she’s only four.”

“I know, but I’m tired of her messing with my stuff.”

Mom placed a hand on his shoulder. “We can talk to God about it. You know, Jesus was once an eight-year-old just like you.”

“Yeah, but did He ever have to worry about little kids getting into His things?”

Mom smiled. “Maybe He did. The writers of the books of Jude and James in the Bible were both Jesus’ brothers.”

Mason headed back into the living room and examined the manger scene. His mother followed. “But every Christmas, we see Mary and Joseph with only one baby,” Mason said. “Where were the other boys?”

“Jesus was the first child born to Mary. The other children came later.”

Mason’s eyes grew wide. “Jesus was the oldest kid in His family, just like I’m the oldest in mine?”

“That’s right. Jesus was the Son of God, but in many ways, He was a lot like you.”

Mason turned from the figures on the table. “But boys are different from girls. Jesus didn’t have baby sisters ruining his favorite things.”

“I don’t know about that.” Mom took a seat on the couch. “The Bible says Jesus had younger sisters too. They probably took His things sometimes, just like your sister takes yours.”

Mason shuffled through the cards in his hands. “It’s neat that Jesus was so much like me,” he said. “But I still don’t like that Abby drew pink and purple hearts all over my favorite baseball players’ faces.”

“I know,” said Mom. “But the Bible tells us we can come to Jesus for help with anything because He had the same problems we have—only He never sinned. Jesus had several younger siblings. He can help you show kindness and love to the one you have.”

Mason nodded and sat beside his mother. “Okay,” he said. “Let’s pray about it.” • Annika Klanderud

How About You?

Do you believe Jesus experienced the same types of problems you do? Or do you picture Him in the sky far from all the trouble on earth? Jesus is the Son of God and the Creator of everything, but He was born a baby and grew up just like us. He understands our problems because He lived through similar ones—yet He never sinned. Pray about your problems and trust Him to help you show His love in every situation.

Today’s Key Verse:
Hebrews 4:15 Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses…He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. (ERV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus understands